UOP dean says she may challenge Pombo

A University of the Pacific dean became the latest potential challenger to Rep. Richard Pombo on Wednesday.

Hank Shaw

SACRAMENTO -- A University of the Pacific dean became the latest potential challenger to Rep. Richard Pombo on Wednesday.

Political newcomer Margee Ensign, dean of UOP's School of International Studies, said she may try to oust Pombo, a Republican, in next year's election.

"I am seriously considering a run," Ensign said.

She said she loves her job as dean, and leaving it to run a political campaign gives her pause. But Pombo has done a poor job during his 14-year tenure, Ensign said, and getting a chance to help the Central Valley in Washington is an attractive thought.

Gerald McNerney, Pombo's 2004 opponent, is the lone Democrat committed to the 2006 contest, but Pombo drubbed him last fall, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been beating the bushes for another challenger all year.

State Sen. Michael Machado of Linden was the first to take a pass. Tracy Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews followed shortly thereafter. Neither relished the thought of raising several million dollars to try to unseat Pombo. He enjoys a strong advantage in the Republican-leaning 11th District, which includes most of San Joaquin County and parts of Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties.

Ensign said raising money to get her message across would definitely be a hurdle.

"Yes, it is daunting," she said. "But raising money is one of the things I do as dean."

Ensign said she has talked with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and representatives of the national group EMILY's List, which fights to elect female candidates who support abortion rights.

EMILY's List has a national reputation for raising big money for its chosen candidates. After all, its name stands for Early Money is Like Yeast it helps the dough rise.

Should Ensign return to Washington, it would be something of a homecoming.

Although she's a native of Southern California, Ensign earned her doctorate in international politics from the University of Maryland, has taught at Georgetown University and has run a training program for U.S. diplomats for the federal State Department.

Ensign writes an occasional column for The Record's editorial pages.

A Stockton resident, Ensign, 51, is a single mother with one daughter.

Ensign said she will decide whether to run after the special election in November.

"It could be a very expensive, very nasty race," she said. "This is a huge decision."